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Eric Clapton has plans to quit touring

Say it ain't so.

Eric Clapton has announced he has plans to quit touring for good. This after the legendary guitarist called life on the road "unbearable" in a summer 2014 interview with Uncut magazine.
Clapton said his age (he's nearly a septuagenarian) and various "odd ailments" may also eventually lead him to quit playing guitar altogether. He said instead of touring, he'll likely focus on studio work.

"There are tons of things I'd like to do, but I'm looking at retirement too," Clapton told the magazine. What I'll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio. I don't want to go off the boil to the point where I'm embarrassing myself."

Clapton will play a series of concert dates in celebration of his upcoming 70th birthday on March 30, 2015. All of the shows will take place at London's Royal Albert Hall beginning Thursday, May 14, 2015 through Monday, May 18, 2015. He is expected to be accompanied by his band members Paul Carrack, Steve Gadd, Nathan East, Chris Stainton, Sharon White and Michelle John.

The shows will mark 50 years since Clapton first played at Royal Albert Hall. His debut was on December 7, 1964 when he performed as part of the Yardbirds for BBC-2 TV's "Top Beat Show." Clapton returned to the venue four years later for Cream's U.K. Farewell Concerts on November 26, 1968.

Clapton returns to New Orleans Jazz Festival

New music was the name of the game for the legendary Eric Clapton in 2013. From the release of his 21st studio album to his popular "Unplugged" project, it was a way for Clapton to more than celebrate his 50 years as a professional musician.

Clapton inked a deal back in January 2013 with Surfdog Records just in time for the release of his album, "Old Sock," in March. It featured two new compositions, "Gotta Get Over" and "Every Little Thing," as well as covers of some of Clapton's favorite songs from a period spanning from his childhood to current day. He also roped in plenty of big names to guest on the project, including Sir Paul McCartney and Steve Winwood, and watched the album climb to No. 11 in the U.K. and No. 7 on U.S. album charts.

Seven months later, Clapton's "Unplugged" album and concert DVD were also re-released, titled "Unplugged: Expanded and Remastered." It included the original 14 tracks, as well as six additional tracks, including 2 versions of "My Father's Eyes." The DVD also contained a restored version of the concert, as well as 60 minutes of previously unseen footage.

Clapton's 2014 Tour resumes April 27 with his first headlining appearance at the 45th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. That gig will be followed by a number of U.S. shows, with U.K. and European dates to come in June. A new band will play with Clapton throughout the trek, including Andy Fairweather Low (guitar), Dave Bronze (bass), Henry Spinetti (drums), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Paul Carrack (keyboards), Sharon White (vocals) and Michelle John (vocals).

Clapton shows off his "Old Sock"

3/29/13: At age 67, one might expect Eric Clapton - one of the most iconic guitarists of our time - to retire his six-string and rest on his laurels for the rest of his career. While that's not out of the question, you have a least a few more years to catch this living legend on the road. In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine back in February, Clapton reveals, "When I'm 70, I'll stop. I won't stop playing or doing one-offs, but I'll stop touring I think." The interview came on the heels of Clapton's new album announcement - his 20th solo release - which came out on March 12. "Old Sock" features two new tracks from the artist, as well as a slew of covers of some old favorite tunes. It also features several guest artists including Steve Winwood, JJ Cale and Sir Paul McCartney.

For now, you can catch Clapton at his Crossroads Guitar Festival which takes place from April 12 - 13 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event will feature performances from some of the world's best: Clapton (obviously), Jeff Beck, John Mayer and Booker T, just to name a few. Profits from the event will go toward the Clapton-founded "Crossroads Centre," an Antigua-based foundation aimed to provide affordable treatment for alcohol and other drug dependencies, something the musician has very publicly suffered from.

A legendary guitarist, Eric Clapton is the winner of many Grammy Awards and is the only artist to be inducted three times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His many group affiliations - the Yardbirds, the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, and Delaney & Bonnie & Friends (among others) - aside, Clapton's solo career began in 1974 with the release of '461 Ocean Boulevard.' The album shot to the top of the charts and spawned the number one single, 'I Shot the Sheriff,' a remake of the Bob Marley tune.The follow-ups to '461 Ocean Boulevard' included 'There's One in Every Crowd' (March 1975), the live 'E.C. was Here' (August 1975) and 'No Reason to Cry' (August 1976). All were less successful than Clapton's initial solo effort. But 'Slowhand' (November 1977) featured powerful songs like 'Cocaine' and found commercial success with 'Lay Down Sally' and 'Wonderful Tonight.' Future works including 'Backless' (November 1978) and 'Another Ticket' (February 1981) were also big sellers.Clapton's popularity waned in the 80's, and the turn of the decade brought tragedy.

On August 27, 1990 fellow blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was touring with Clapton, and three members of their road crew perished in a helicopter crash. Then, on March 20, 1991, Clapton's four-year-old son died in a fall in New York City. Clapton expressed his grief through the song, 'Tears in Heaven,' which won Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance at the 35th annual Grammy Awards. The 90s marked Clapton's return to his roots with the release of 'From The Cradle,' and the soul- influenced 'Pilgrim,' while the turn of the century would ultimately feature his own works, as well as collaborations with artists like BB King and J.J. Cale. Clapton has continued to tour extensively, performing at thousands of concerts around the globe. He has also been committed to working with others who suffer from addictions to drugs and alcohol, and released an autobiography that has topped best-seller lists worldwide.

Eric Clapton Discography

Album name

Release date

Play the Blues: Live From Jazz at Lincoln Center

2011

Tribute To Elmore, White-Collection

2010

Run Back to Your Side

2010

Clapton

2010

Live From Madison Square Garden

2009

1990-04-24: Houston 1990: The Summit, Houston, TX, USA

2009

The A.R.M.S. Benefit Concert

2008

Greatest Hits

2008

Live at Budokan

2008

Complete Clapton

2007

Presence of the Lord (disc 2)

2007

1975-10-29: Sunpukaikan, Shizuoka, Japan

2007

Eric Clapton & Friends

2006

The Road to Escondido

2006

Telephone Blues

2006

After Midnight Live

2006

Back Home

2005

For Your Love

2005

Me and Mr. Johnson

2004

Sessions for Robert J

2004

20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Eric Clapton

News

August 22, 2014

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